Historic Caravan Club News

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21)Wanderer Now in full colour for 2017item date 2/3/2017

We are sad to report that John Wilson died on Saturday the 1st of October after a short illness.John had for very many years taken an active interest in all sorts of vintage vehicles and was car section steward at the Stroud Vintage show for many years. He and Jo became interested in Vintage caravans when pre-war caravans started to be entered for John’s section. This prompted them to buy one which turned out to be their well-loved “Florence”. A few years later John and Jo were among those of us who formed The HCC in 1993. He later became area Coordinator for the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire areas promoting the club at such events as the Malvern Autumn Festival, Caravan and Camping Club Festival of Lanterns, Swindon Nostalgia Show and hosting an HCC National Rally at Slimbridge.

John and Jo have also hosted the “Meadowside” Social Rally on their own field every year since 2001. This has been one of the highlights of the HCC calendar and has been enjoyed by many members over the years. John was always keen to arrange an interesting visit for us on the Saturday and sometimes the destinations were kept a secret until we actually arrived there!

Even though John was not well this year he still insisted that “Meadowside” went ahead. He had to take frequent rests over the weekend but still managed to get around, sometimes on his scooter, to see everyone and get involved. He was very pleased we all came.

Jo has confirmed that the “Meadowside 2017” will go ahead in John’s memory and will be accompanied by Jo’s Charity Cream Tea on the Sunday.

John will be greatly missed by us all. We send our condolences to Jo and the family.

Our thoughts are with you all.

For funeral details please contact Club Secretary

John using his walking stick as a fuel gauge at Meadowside this August

Sadly we recently learned of the sudden and very unexpected death of Tony after a heart attack. Tony started his Vintage vehicle life with his first car in 1961 - a 1935 Morris 8 deluxe saloon following his driving test. His interest escalated in the mid ‘80s to include caravans of a similar era. On the formation of the HCC Tony, with his wife Frances, became active members. Tony became an area Coordinator organising many events and attending both those and many other club rallies.He had a humorous and friendly character, always willing to help and take part and will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and condolences to Frances, their sons and family.

The Funeral is on Monday 1st June, 11:00, at the Church of the Assumption, Beeston, NG9 1AE. If you wish to attend please call George Windsor – see Wanderer for contact details.

18) Jo Wilson item date 20/05/2015

An update from Josie

Thank you all so much for your good wishes, cards and telephone calls, it was much appreciated. I am on the mend and walking the great distance of one and a half miles at snails pace, John can keep up with me! Hope to see you all soon. Love from Jo xxxxxx

17) May Wanderer Published item date 20/05/2015

16) March Wanderer Published item date 25/03/2015

15) Jo Wilson item date 3/3/2015

Unfortunately we have to report that Jo Wilson has recently been involved in an accident with a couple of large dogs (not her own) causing her to fall badly and break her hip and wrist. She has had to have a replacement hip and pins in her wrist. Thankfully, she is now recovering and starting to walk again.

On behalf of all your friends in the HCC we send best wishes to you Jo for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you back to your usual self during the year.

14) February Wanderer Published item date 24/02/2015

George and Angela are doing a great job with the Wanderer and have Published their second edition and would be happy to include any suitable contributions from members in future editions..

13) Dorrie Van Lachteropitem date 30/11/2014

Members will be saddened to hear that Dorrie passed away on the 21st November.

She had a long and fulfilling life, not only bringing up her young family, alone, after the premature death of her beloved husband, Van, but continuing caravanning with them and even towing on the Continent. Dorrie also took up a career in teaching, became a Justice of the Peace and a Samaritan, all of which reflected her love and respect for people and her considerable communication skills.She was instrumental in the formation of The Loner’s Club, an organisation affiliated to the Caravan Club, for those who caravan alone and was currently their President, having held a number of roles on their committee through the years. Dorrie joined the H.C.C. in 1996, thus renewing a long standing friendship with Bob Bissell, as they had both rallied with The Caravan Club in the 1960’s and ‘70’s and had many mutual friends.She soon became an enthusiastic supporter of a number of H.C.C. rallies, in her 1960’s Cheltenham Fawn, always accompanied by her trademark black poodle, firstly Pollyanna and later Annabelle. She even had a claim to fame, featuring in a film for T.V., entitled “Caravans – A very British Obsession” and was thrilled to be recognised by viewers when out and about.With her zest for life Dorrie so enjoyed the social side of our club and fortunately was able to attend rallies until July this year, with the support of her family. She had a real talent for telling amusing stories about her experiences and adventures and we were often reduced to tears of laughter in her company, our caravans and awnings shook with mirth on many occasions. She will be sorely missed by everyone.I’m sure that all H.C.C. members will wish to join the Committee in offering their sincere condolences to Sandy and Jem and their families, at this difficult time.

Barbara Bissell.

12) Wanderer Editor item date 30/11/2014

We are pleased to report that George Windsor has kindly stepped into the breach.

Our sincere thanks to George who is currently getting to grips with his first issue. It will be a little while yet but is well under way.

11) Unfortunately Wanderer 172 which has just been published is the last one from our current editor Barry Lord. item date 18/10/2014

Barry Has Published the Wanderer since June 2012 but due to pressure of work is no longer able to carry on. On behalf of the members and themselves the committee would like to offer its sincere thanks to Barry for his efforts in producing an excellent club magazine

At the moment we unfortunately have no one to fill Barry's shoes, so until this can be resolved we will not have a Wanderer. So If any member feels they can offer their services for this vital roll in the club please contact our secretary or any committee member as soon as possible.

THANKS.

Apologies for the gap in entries here but as some of you know I haven't been at home much during the season - Paul

10) Wanderer 167 out SOON item date 5/2/2014

If you have not renewed yet, do it now - Don't get a RED MARK!

9) Renewal forms out with Wanderer 165 item date 11/11/2013

Please renew promptly to minimise costs to the club.

8) Historic Caravan Club 20th Anniversary Rally item date 7/9/2013

21-23 June, Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The event hosted by the HCC Northern Section was a great success and fully booked. Our thanks to everyone who organised and made this very memorable event a great success.

Below is the centre page from Wanderer 163, in colour for a change.

7) Margaret Squires item date 16/5/2013

Membership and Distribution Secretary

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Margaret early on Wednesday the 15th May after her battle with cancer.

Even though she had been ill for some time she still insisted in carrying on wth her duties as long as she could. She has been a firm supporter of the club from the beginning, both with Ron and more recently in her own right. We indeed owe her a great debt of gratitude for all the work she has done for the Club. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to her sons and daughter and our thanks for the help they gave Ron and Margaret over the years. If any members require Funeral details please contact Barbara Bissell or Roger Williams. Email on contacts page or phone details in Wanderer.

John
Wilson 01454 417974

1) BONHAM’S VOYAGEUR IDENTIFIED item date 14/4/2013

Credit:- Bonhams

Click picture for article and findings.

There was
quite a stir in the historic caravan world in March 2012 when an interesting
Bertram Hutchings caravan was auctioned by Bonham’s. The interest was as much
for the hammer price as for the make and model of the caravan. Generally, when
compared to the values of rare historic cars, caravans have been somewhat
undervalued. The caravan in question was a “Voyageur” model. These are quite
rare with only 5 known to exist.